A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Sarajevo for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Hiking

Should you visit Granada or Sarajevo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Granada or Sarajevo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Granada

Granada is a beautiful, charming, and cultural city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is a beautiful, overlooked, and quaint city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Sarajevo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Sarajevo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Sarajevo than Granada. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Sarajevo is very popular for its food, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Granada attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and impressive beauty. Granada is more touristy than Sarajevo and is known for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Sarajevo is famous for its worn torn past, but today it is a city that is filled with culture, natural beauty, and incredible food. It is also well known for The Old Town.

How is Granada different from Sarajevo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Sarajevo and Granada. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Granada or Sarajevo?

Granada is an unbeatable place for its museums and history. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Granada are world-renowned. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

Sarajevo offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The sights in the city reflect its history and culture. Famous places to visit include Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, the Latin Bridge, Kovači Memorial Cemetery, and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.

Is the Food Better in Granada or Sarajevo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sarajevo is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Sarajevo is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. Bosnia isn't the first place that comes to mind when you think of food, but it is actually among the best. The dishes are heavy on meat and pastry, with the perfect amount of seasoning. Favorite dishes include Bosnian burek and cevapi. And it's easy to dine your way through this beautiful city as restaurants are very affordable.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Granada has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

Sarajevo has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. After immersing yourself in history for the day, the nighttime offers the perfect opportunity to unwind. Locals and tourists come together at the city's many bars and nightclubs where you can listen to music, dance, or chat with locals over a cold beer.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the amazing old towns in both Granada and Sarajevo.

The historic old town of Granada is revered around the world. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

With a famous historical old-town, Sarajevo offers plenty to see. The city's old town, which is known as Baščaršija, is filled with a history charm that is unlike any other European city. The wooden shops, wandering lanes, and striking minarets highlight the area's beautiful culture and long-running history.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for Hiking?

Sarajevo is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

People visit Sarajevo specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. If you have a way to get out of town, you'll be rewarded with a natural beauty that is untouched and pristine - a rare find in Europe. There are a number of popular trails that are popular with locals and tourists alike. While landmines remain a concern in off-the-beaten-path areas, if you stay on marked trails, they pose no real threat.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Sarajevo?

Sarajevo is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Sarajevo. This city offers a unique opportunity to shop for traditional hand-crafted good in the old town. The goods are handmade and reflect the city's long running history as a center for trade. Popular items for purchase include coffee sets, jewelry, and handmade carpets.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for Families?

Granada is a good destination for its kid-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for its family-friendly activities.

Granada is a family-friendly city. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

Sarajevo doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. Older kids will really benefit from the history and cultural lessons that coincide with a visit to this beautiful city. There are also some fun activities that they can enjoy including a zoo, an indoor play area, and an amusement park not far outside of town.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for Couples?

Granada is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Sarajevo is lacking in good options for couples.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

Sarajevo is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Romance isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Sarajevo, but the city has amazing food and world class cultural sights that will make for a truly rewarding trip.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada and Sarajevo are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Sarajevo is a great city to visit for backpackers. This city is among the most culturally captivating places in Europe. Although it's often overlooked by tourists and backpackers, the affordability, stunning beauty, and unique personality make it a truly amazing place to visit.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for Students?

Granada is a very popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarajevo is not popular with students.

Many students visit Granada. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Sarajevo is not popular with students.

Is Granada or Sarajevo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sarajevo is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Public transit in Sarajevo is fairly effecient and thorough. It includes a tram, trolleybus, bus and minibus network.

You'll find some public transit in Granada, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

Is Granada or Sarajevo a more walkable city?

Granada is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Sarajevo is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Granada is a very walkable city. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

Sarajevo is a somewhat walkable city. Most of the touristy areas in the central part of the city are walkable, but there are also some sights outside of town that you will need a taxi to visit.

For even more information, also check out Is Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Sarajevo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Sarajevo or Granada?

How long in Granada or Sarajevo?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Sarajevo. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Sarajevo. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Sarajevo.

Families should spend more time in Granada than Sarajevo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Granada, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Granada than Sarajevo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Granada that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Granada or Sarajevo?

The beautiful city of Granada offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Sarajevo, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Granada or Sarajevo?

Granada is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Granada, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

In Sarajevo, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Sarajevo has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Sarajevo?

Granada is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Sarajevo is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Sarajevo?

Granada is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Sarajevo. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Sarajevo. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best Cultural Tours in Bosnia and Herzegowina, and The Best Budget Tours to Bosnia and Herzegowina.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Sarajevo, we can see that Granada is more expensive. And not only is Sarajevo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sarajevo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sarajevo and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada than you might in Sarajevo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Sarajevo Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Sarajevo?

Sarajevo has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Sarajevo, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Granada or Sarajevo?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Granada or Sarajevo in the Summer?

Both Sarajevo and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Sarajevo because of the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Granada is around the same temperature as Sarajevo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Sarajevo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Sarajevo during summer. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 323 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Granada or Sarajevo in the Autumn?

Both Sarajevo and Granada during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Sarajevo this time of year.

In October, Granada is generally a little warmer than Sarajevo. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Sarajevo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Granada. In the autumn, Granada often gets more sunshine than Sarajevo. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Sarajevo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Granada usually gets less rain in October than Sarajevo. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 153 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Sarajevo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Sarajevo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Sarajevo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Granada is much warmer than Sarajevo in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Sarajevo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Granada usually receives more sunshine than Sarajevo during winter. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Sarajevo receives 113 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sarajevo receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Granada usually receives less rain than Sarajevo. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Granada or Sarajevo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Granada as well as Sarajevo. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Sarajevo in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Granada is around the same temperature as Sarajevo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Sarajevo averages at about 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the spring, Granada often gets more sunshine than Sarajevo. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sarajevo receives 174 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sarajevo. Granada usually gets less rain in April than Sarajevo. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Sarajevo receives 127 mm (5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sarajevo and Granada